National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Dunkel on July 25, 2013, 01:32:32 PM

Title: Berliner Weisse
Post by: Dunkel on July 25, 2013, 01:32:32 PM
Whilst flipping through the BJCP study guide last night (essential bedtime reading for wannabe judges), I came across the following.

"One exception to boiling was historically used to brew the Berliner Weisse style. Here, the hops were added to the mash tun, and the wort is cooled after sparging and then fermented with a combination of lactobacillus from the malt and an ale yeast."

Is this right? I thought the brewers did a short boil (15 mins or something) as they weren't looking for hop bitterness.
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: irish_goat on July 25, 2013, 01:44:06 PM
Quote from: Dunkel on July 25, 2013, 01:32:32 PM
Whilst flipping through the BJCP study guide last night (essential bedtime reading for wannabe judges), I came across the following.

"One exception to boiling was historically used to brew the Berliner Weisse style. Here, the hops were added to the mash tun, and the wort is cooled after sparging and then fermented with a combination of lactobacillus from the malt and an ale yeast."

Is this right? I thought the brewers did a short boil (15 mins or something) as they weren't looking for hop bitterness.

Adding hops to the mash should contribute some bitterness though. Cheap brewhouse/brewday if you can leave out the kettle!
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: Eoin on July 25, 2013, 02:05:51 PM
I still don't get the reverence given this beer outside of Germany.

It was only ever a kiddie and granny beer and served in cafes and restaurants and ice cream parlours and you wouldn't find it in many real pubs, or if you did you'd have to blow the dust off them.
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: irish_goat on July 25, 2013, 02:19:38 PM
Quote from: Eoin on July 25, 2013, 02:05:51 PM
I still don't get the reverence given this beer outside of Germany.

If you're in Germany it's a very welcome change to the samey pilsners and wheat beers that prevail almost everywhere.
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: Eoin on July 25, 2013, 02:22:25 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on July 25, 2013, 02:19:38 PM
Quote from: Eoin on July 25, 2013, 02:05:51 PM
I still don't get the reverence given this beer outside of Germany.

If you're in Germany it's a very welcome change to the samey pilsners and wheat beers that prevail almost everywhere.


I lived there for years and never drank a whole Berliner Weisse, that said I served it to so many grannies I'd have been compromised had my mates seen me drinking it. :)
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: Dunkel on July 25, 2013, 02:22:57 PM
I can't take either side here, having never tried it. I was just curious as to whether the BJCP were correct about this no-boil method being traditional.
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: Eoin on July 25, 2013, 02:42:35 PM
Quote from: Dunkel on July 25, 2013, 02:22:57 PM
I can't take either side here, having never tried it. I was just curious as to whether the BJCP were correct about this no-boil method being traditional.

Ah not slagging you at all man, I'm just always surprised at the profile it has over here compared to Germany.
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: DEMPSEY on July 25, 2013, 04:43:03 PM
Would'nt adding hops to the mash tun play havoc with the PH ???
Title: Re: Berliner Weisse
Post by: mr hoppy on July 25, 2013, 09:51:06 PM
I've had BW a few times and like it although it's probably as close to sour lemonade as beer.

To be fair, Bavarian weiss was a granny beer up to the 80's as well.

I did a gose (close relation but stronger t 4.8%, with salt and coriander recently) and mash hopped. I didn't check my ph but my efficiency was just fine.